An estimated crowd of 2,500 cheering fans greeted Hornets players and coaches during a lunch-time pep rally Monday at Lafayette Square in the Central Business District.

The event was designed to get fans excited about the Hornets' full-time return to the Crescent City after playing the past two seasons in Oklahoma City. The Hornets treated fans to free food and drinks, and the Rebirth Brass Band provided musical entertainment.

"I think it's a good thing they are back," said fan William Netter of Harvey. "If we didn't have them here, then the NBA All-Star Game wouldn't be coming here in February. That can only mean a better financial impact on the city."

The Hornets' season opener is Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings at the New Orleans Arena. Kevin Terry, the Hornets' vice president of ticket sales and services, said 3,000 tickets remain for the game.

"We hope you guys come out Wednesday night," point guard Chris Paul told the crowd. "It's Halloween at the Hive, and the kids can come trick-or-treat. Everybody will get a free T-shirt, and most of all, we are going to get a win. We are so happy to be back here in New Orleans."

The Hornets are pushing to have a greater sense of passion for the residents of New Orleans. This season the Hornets will wear a Fleur-de-Bee patch on their uniforms designed like a fleur-de-lis.

The Hornets also are pushing a marketing campaign that involves the three P's -- Passion, Purpose, Pride -- which they consider to be a correlation to the city's recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina.

It's apparent some New Orleans residents have taken notice of the franchise's efforts. Terry said the team has experienced a slight spike in season-ticket sales in the past week. The Hornets have sold nearly 6,500 season tickets, which remains far short of their goal of 10,000. The team has sold 54 of its 57 suites.

"We just have to move forward, but we're going in the right direction, and that's very positive," Terry said. "In the last month, we've seen a nice increase on the season-ticket side. Individual ticket sales are starting to pick up a little momentum right now."

Hornets owner George Shinn looked pleased as he observed fans standing in front of season-ticket booths stationed around the park.

"We are to a certain degree reintroducing ourselves to this community after being gone," Shinn said. "It's important to do everything we can to let everybody know what's going on. Not only does it help our fans and get everybody pumped up, it helps our players. All the people that work for us are here."

Lines were brisk at the autographs booths for players and the Honeybees. After one woman got an autograph from center Tyson Chandler, she said she plans to attend several games this season.

"I'll be there. People are supposed to support them because they're part of New Orleans," said Sementa Alfred of New Orleans. "I would go to all of them if I could, but I'm going to get a couple of tickets. If we don't support them, who will?"

Chandler said it felt like a festival at a park with people everywhere, some wearing the Hornets' teal-and-gold colors. Unlike the players, Coach Byron Scott did not have a booth. But as he stood near the stage where the Rebirth Brass Band was performing, several fans approached him for autographs. After signing, he encouraged them to support his team.

"Sometimes you don't know what kind of response you're going to get, and it was great the way people responded," Scott said. "Like I said, we are looking so much toward Wednesday night, and hopefully we'll get this same type of enthusiasm, same type of crowd. If we can get that type of support all season long, I think they have to know it will make a big difference in how we play."

Attorney Bill Hines, who helped in the city's efforts to land the Hornets when they relocated from Charlotte, N.C., in 2002, said the franchise should have held such events during their first three seasons in New Orleans.

"They haven't done anything like this before, and it was great," Hines said. "It was a beautiful, perfect day, but I think it was as important for the team and management to have that experience to seemingly walk in this light, which is why we all like living here."

A highlight of the event was veteran Bobby Jackson putting the rookies through some hazing. First-round draft pick Julian Wright and second-round pick Adam Haluska had to sing R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." Wright then entertained the crowd -- and his teammates -- with an energetic dance routine to "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" by Soulja Boy Tell'em.

"This was really the first time we got out and interacted with the community, and hopefully we can do more of that and just be a part of this city," Jackson said.

. . . . . . .

John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3405.